Blepharitis treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

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Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

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Yes. In most cases, a doctor from Maple will be able to diagnose blepharitis by discussing your symptoms and evaluating your condition.

If you experience continued symptoms after treatment, or the doctor believes blepharitis could be a symptom of another condition, the doctor may suggest you visit a clinic for a thorough physical exam.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, usually affecting both eyes. It’s a difficult condition to treat and may reoccur in people who experience it.

There are several blepharitis types, including:

• Seborrheic blepharitis (also known as squamous blepharitis), which can affect the eyebrows, scalp and face as well.
• Staphylococcal blepharitis, which tends to have acute inflammation, a quick recovery time and is more commonly found in middle aged women.
• Meibomian seborrheic blepharitis, which has increased secretions from affected areas without severe inflammation.
• Meibomian keratoconjunctivitis, which is the most severe form of blepharitis and tends to affect adults over the age of 50.

Common blepharitis symptoms include:

• Crust forming on eyelashes
• Red or swollen glands around the eyes
• Eyelids that appear greasy
• Eyelids sticking when closed
• Itchiness around the eyes
• Watery eyes
• Bloodshot eyes
• Burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
• Skin flaking around the eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blinking much more frequently
• Blurring vision

Usually, Blepharitis causes stem from the tiny oil glands at the base of the eyelashes becoming clogged. These clogs cause irritation and redness.

While the exact causes of blepharitis are unknown at this time, there are several other conditions that have been known to cause blepharitis. Some of these include:

• Malfunctioning or clogged oil glands in your eyelids
• Infections
• Eyelash mites or lice
• Allergies to eye drops, contact lens solutions or make-up
• Rosacea
• Dry eyes
• Seborrheic dermatitis

The blepharitis treatment suggested by your doctor will depend on the type of blepharitis the doctor believes you’ve contracted.

Possible suggested treatments include:

• Inflammation medications
• Topical cyclosporine (Restasis)
• Antibiotic cream or ointment
• Treatment of underlying condition causing blepharitis

If the doctor believes your condition is caused by a bacterial infection, and topical antibiotics aren’t working, they may prescribe a blepharitis treatment using antibiotics as pills.

Most cases of blepharitis aren’t contagious, because blepharitis causes can usually be traced to clogged glands in the eyelids, or as a symptom of another underlying condition.

However, if the doctor believes that your blepharitis is caused by a bacterial infection, it is contagious and can be spread to other people through contact.

Both of these conditions can be caused by staphylococcus, but there are some distinct differences between blepharitis and a stye.

While blepharitis is usually caused by clogged oil glands in the eyelids, styes are actually pus-filled cysts that form around the eye. In the case of bacterial infection, blepharitis can be contagious, while a stye is not.

As well, a stye causes noticeable redness and can be quite painful, while patients with blepharitis are often asymptomatic, or they only experience itchiness and mild burning sensations.